"Rumor has it that the Crown Prince dotes on the Third Princess immensely."
She had offended Mu Qingdai, and Mu Zikun was Mu Qingdai's elder brother. If Bai Ran foolishly went to treat him and was then framed, it would be a loss outweighing any gain.
"That's not true, Miss Bai! Those rumors were all spread by the Third Princess herself! They have nothing to do with the Crown Prince!" he raised his head to retort.
If that were the case…
Bai Ran helped Wu Zhuo up and smiled faintly, "Take me to see him."
The gloom on Wu Zhuo's face vanished instantly, replaced by a youthful smile.
He stood up straight and bowed again, "Thank you so much!"
Wu Zhuo led Bai Ran through twists and turns, eventually entering a secluded alley.
"The imperial family's relationships are intricate. It was out of necessity that we had to hide the Crown Prince here, and lie that he was out on training. I ask for your understanding, miss."
As he spoke, they arrived at the entrance of a simple courtyard.
As soon as they entered, they saw a frail figure collapsed on the ground, with two guards anxiously helping him up.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" Wu Zhuo rushed over, assisting the two in propping him up.
"Are you alright, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"
Mu Zikun weakly opened his eyes, "A Zhuo… did you go to the alchemy competition again…"
Wu Zhuo lowered his head and bit his lower lip, not answering.
"Foolish boy, don't go anymore…"
Mu Zikun gazed at the birds soaring in the sky, his eyes filled with longing and envy, looking utterly heartbreaking.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, A Zhuo has found someone."
Mu Zikun followed Wu Zhuo's gaze and saw a woman standing in the courtyard.
"Help him onto the bed first," Bai Ran said to Wu Zhuo.
Mu Zikun lay on the bed, emaciated, his arms so thin they seemed like they would break with a gentle squeeze.
Bai Ran sat by the bedside, taking his pulse. After a long while, she withdrew her hand.
"Miss Bai! How is it? Can he be cured?" Wu Zhuo asked anxiously.
Compared to the anxious Wu Zhuo, Mu Zikun lay quietly, without joy or sorrow, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
"It's not difficult," Bai Ran tucked his hand back under the covers.
Mu Zikun's illness was indeed an incurable terminal illness for them, but for Bai Ran, who possessed the accumulation of two lifetimes, it was a trivial matter that required merely a flick of her fingers.
He could be cured! He could truly be cured!
Wu Zhuo was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. Even Mu Zikun felt a flicker of hope.
"Miss Bai! I beg you, please save him. A Zhuo is willing to be your slave!" As he spoke, Wu Zhuo knelt down once more.
Bai Ran looked at the person kneeling on the ground, sobbing, and frowned, "Stand up."
"I don't need you to be my slave, but I do require a consultation fee for treating people."
"That is only natural. Miss Bai, please name your price," Mu Zikun said from the bed.
As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would pay any consultation fee.
"A spirit stone vein," Bai Ran stated calmly.
A spirit stone vein!
Wu Zhuo froze. He knew how crucial spirit stone veins were to the imperial family. They could be said to be the bedrock supporting the imperial family's status.
A spirit stone vein was almost equivalent to one-fifth of the imperial family's power.
"We can do that," Mu Zikun agreed without hesitation. "A Zhuo, go and fetch the land deed."
Wu Zhuo turned and returned shortly with the land deed.
Although the spirit stone vein was important, in his heart, it was nowhere near as important as the Crown Prince's life.
Bai Ran took the land deed and looked at Wu Zhuo, "Go outside. No matter what sounds you hear, do not come in."
He obediently went out and closed the door.
"Miss Bai, thank you," Mu Zikun's face broke into a smile.
Bai Ran took out the Nine-Bend Life-Chasing Needles. "It's merely a matter of mutual need."
"Bear with it, you absolutely cannot faint." The words had barely left her lips when the needle pierced his skin.
"Ahhh!" Mu Zikun's screams instantly resounded. Wu Zhuo outside the door was consumed by anxiety, his heart aching as if it were shattering. He reached out his hand, then retracted it.
He couldn't go in…
It would disturb Miss Bai…
As more needles were inserted, the pain intensified.
Pain! His body felt as if it were being crushed.
He couldn't faint! He absolutely could not faint!
Mu Zikun's mind began to conjure images of Wu Zhuo's every smile and frown.
In a daze, he seemed to hear Wu Zhuo's voice, "Your Highness, you will be alright."
Mu Zikun gritted his teeth fiercely, veins bulging on his neck, enduring the tearing pain with sheer willpower.
The excruciating pain lasted for half an hour. His face was as pale as paper, and his back was soaked with sweat.
Bai Ran withdrew the needles and stood up. "It's done."
The door was opened, and as she emerged from the room, Wu Zhuo rushed in directly.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Looking at Mu Zikun's condition, Wu Zhuo's tears immediately overflowed.
"What are you crying for? I'm still alive," Mu Zikun raised his hand and ruffled Wu Zhuo's hair.
"It's alright now."
His body felt lighter than ever before. He knew his health had been restored.
"That's great… That's wonderful…" Wu Zhuo, however, cried even harder.
Large teardrops fell one by one as he buried his head by the bedside.
As he cried, whether from exhaustion or relief, he eventually fell asleep.
"Who are you!"
In an alley in the slums, a dirty little boy clutched a small wooden stick tightly, pointing it at another elegantly dressed little boy opposite him.
"My name is Mu Zikun. What's yours?"
"My mother told me not to talk to strangers!"
"But you already did."
"That doesn't count!"
The little boy sat on the ground, his stomach growling. He was so hungry he barely had the strength to speak.
"Are you hungry? Why don't you go home?"
"My father and mother are both dead. I don't have a home…"
The little boy drooped his head, looking rather pathetic.
"Then come to my home," Mu Zikun smiled, like the warm sun in winter.
…
"You like spirit herbs?"
"Mhm!"
"Then why don't you learn alchemy?"
"I'm too poor… I can't afford it…"
"What's so difficult about that?" Mu Zikun smiled again.
Why did he always smile? And smile so beautifully…
The little boy blushed, not daring to look at him.
…
"A Zhuo, I'm fine. Don't cry anymore."
The little boy had grown up. Looking at Mu Zikun, who was growing thinner day by day, his heart felt as if it were being twisted.
Why…
Could he not save him…
"Your Highness! Please wait for me! I will definitely find someone to save you!"
The young man ran out directly, heading to an unknown destination.
…
In his dream, a familiar large hand gently stroked his head, again and again.
"Your Highness, you don't know how grateful I am to you."
It was unclear if he was muttering in his sleep or awake.
The stroking hand paused. Mu Zikun smiled, his eyes filled with affection and deep emotion.
"Foolish boy, how could I not know."
"Because I am just like you, and I am grateful to you too."